Highlights from Helen & Jonny’s brilliant Summer wedding at this stunning Lake District venue

The Forest Side Wedding Venue

The Forest Side is a stunning Michelin-star country house in Grasmere. Situated just down the road from Wordsworth’s House, the Forest Side sits quietly amongst its own grounds, off the main road. The weddings are limited at The Forest Side, deliberately, to maintain the unbelievable quality and high standards. The restaurant alone is one of theTop 100 globally, and 4th in the UK, whilst the hotel itself was voted the Best Hotel England 2023-24 by the AA.

It describes itself as:

“Set in the stunningly beautiful Lake District landscape of Wordsworth’s Grasmere Vale, this elegant house charmed visitors for over a century before neglect took its toll…

But, fortunately, like sleeping beauty, Forest Side has been reawakened. Enchanting gardens have been lovingly recreated, whilst our fabulous rooms are fit for any aspiring Prince or Princess. In the kitchen our talented Head Chef, Paul Leonard, works his magic, conjuring up menus inspired by the very landscape in which we sit…”

Forest Side Wedding Photographer

Helen & Jonny booked me for their Forest Side wedding a few months before their big day. Both are leading lights in the medical world, and were looking for a quiet retreat for their wedding. None better I think. I came recommended by the venue as one of their respected photographers, so I was feeling proud, even privileged to be a Forest Side Wedding Photographer for Helen & Jonny’s special day. On our Zoom call, the couple told me they didn’t want traditional, boring coverage. As a Forest Side Wedding Photographer, I was there to document their day, to tell their story in my style, but their way. I arrived nice and early for some bride (or groom) preparations, but they were both having a lie in. Yes, I had to sit quietly and drink coffee, and wait an hour or so before things started happening for me to photograph as their Forest Side Wedding Photographer. THIS is how chilled my clients were! Eventually, the day started to gather pace as the family got ready together - no secrets, no surprises, just a couple enjoying each other’s company and the day together. This was brilliant, and set the bar for the day’s coverage as a Forest Side Wedding Photographer.

Helen & Jonny walked together down the aisle too - no pomp or circumstance, just a great, relaxed couple, madly in love and wanting to seal things in front of their family and friends. Beautiful moments to be experienced and captured by this Forest Side Wedding Photographer.

Michelin Star Cuisine at The Forest Side

Head Chef Paul Leonard had created an awesome menu for the day. I got to meet him during the morning. He popped out of the kitchen with a brew to say hello to me. The kitchen was near-silent with a hint of Radio 2 playing in the background. “Was it always this chilled?” I asked….”yeah, pretty much” said Paul, one of the most unassuming and humble people you’re ever like to meet. And he has that Michelin Star too. Wow. The Forest Side are lucky to have such talent. Michelin Star cuisine for a wedding for forty guests or so. This was going to be a brilliant, documentary-style wedding shoot for this Forest Side Wedding Photographer.

Natural wedding photography at The Forest Side

I loved the day at Forest Side, producing my natural style of Forest Side wedding photography for my clients. All live and unposed, apart from a few family group photos and couples photos, I quietly went about my way documenting Helen & Jonny’s story as their Forest Side Wedding Photographer. With no over-produced style, the wedding photos are as natural as we could get. I’m not one for over-editing my wedding photos, as I think styles come and go. My photos are classic, with a longevity to them. No gimmicks, no Instagram type ‘looks’, just clean, colourful photos that will last. That’s why Helen & Jonny chose me to be their Forest Side Wedding Photographer.

Here’s some of my favourite photos from the day…